Minor Bantam London Tecumsehs -2013 Season: Welcome

Sunday.  9 am.  Semi Finals.  

Team convening at the St. Thomas diamonds by 8 am.

 Cannot WAIT for the fun of this St. Thomas. semi-finals.  

Life is good.    

*** Update - we have a St. Thomas Double Header in St. Thomas, scheduled for Sunday 7-JUL. Game #1 is at 11 am (this is the make up game for #8) and Game #2 (this is the make up game for #28). PLEASE let us know if you cannot be there for both games.

The LDBA has their new website up and running (mostly) - our page is located at the following address - and here's hoping our Convenor gets it all updated soon!   

http://ldba.bbstats.pointstreak.com/team_home.html?teamid=56202&seasonid=23679

Talking about updates - I'm having some fun updating the Stats pages with our Pitching and At Bats.   Please take it all with a grain of salt - you never know - I could easily make errors transcribing to the pages.   Though, just fun to see some of our trends.. 

Please check out the Albums page for more pictures as the season progresses... and please upload any of your own photos - I would love to see your shots!   Canon cameras rock, by the way.

 Thanks again for all the fun and the great support.   J

 Don't forget to check out Karen Calder's blog (address in links) or the Eager Beaver Baseball Association (EBBA) Facebook page or Twitter (@EBBABaseball) as they're great assets to stay connected with the organization.   

 And from Karen's blog:  

The Tecumseh Trilogy.

Three Nights. Three Games. Three Wins.

Well hidden from the busy and bustling traffic of London’s Adelaide Street North and Windermere Drive, lies one of London, Ontario’s best kept baseball secrets, Dan Pulham Park. It’s hidden deeply beneath the southeast corner of these two busy streets. As you enter, a feeling of quiet reverence washes over you; the bustling city suddenly seems far away and its noise and chaos seems to fade. The ballpark’s backdrop is Kilally Valley Park, a park full of mature trees and greenery; it also hosts the North Thames River, which flows directly into the Thames River. You can’t help but notice the obvious similarities to London’s historic Labatt Park, which is set against the backdrop of historic Harris Park and the Thames River. The similarities do not stop there. Dan Pulham Park looks absolutely pristine with its lush grass infield and red clay infused baselines and pitcher mound. The one major difference (if you can excuse the pun) is the lack of stadium seating. No, here dedicated baseball fans can sit very comfortably in the bleachers or bring their own chairs. Large trees provide blessed shade, shielding fans from the hot summertime sun, as they cheer their favourite team. Like London’s Labatt Park, great baseball is played here by the teams who call it home.

Three such teams are part of the London District Baseball Association’s (L.D.B.A.) Minor Bantam Division; the London West Tincaps, home night Monday; the London North Nationals, home night Tuesday; and the London Tecumsehs, who claim Wednesday night as their home night.

It was at last Wednesday’s London Tecumsehs’ home stand where the Tecumseh Trilogy was completed.

The London Tecumsehs opened their home season against the visiting London Nationals on Wednesday, May 15. They would lose the game 4-3. The Tecumsehs’ season continued at Dreamers where they would achieve their first regular season win over the Southwest Scorpions on Monday May 27; however two days later, Wednesday May 29, they would find themselves with their second at-home loss when the London West Tincaps came to Dan Pulham. There was work to be done.

Tecumseh Lucas O’Neil safety arrives home as his team watches and waits. Hard work, not negative thoughts or remarks win baseball games, and the experienced coaching staff of the London Tecumsehs, headed by Skipper Sandy Deagle, know this. They are always prepared for practices, and the next practice was no different than any other, except that the need for hard work, team play and focus were positively reinforced. The team worked hard on baseball fundamentals and focus.

On Monday June 3, the London Tecumsehs found themselves sitting in the dugout along the third base line. They were the visitors at Dan Pulham Park for tonight’s 6:00 PM start and they were there to gain a win; to even the season’s record against the London West Tincaps. What followed were seven action filled innings of baseball.

Kale Bilger would get the start. He and his catcher, Ryan Calder, orchestrated a symphony of pitches that were matched by dazzling defense in the field. Plays of the game included a bullet throw by shortstop Lucas O’Neil to Calder, allowing him to tag the runner out at home. Tecumsehs’ right fielder Daniel Cabral would charge all the way to the red clay track between first base and second base where he made a brilliant and inspired diving catch. Second base player Brady Fata would be there to cover and would later match this high level of play as he, third base player Declan McManus and shortstop Lucas O’Neil executed a text book rundown between second and third bases.

Fans were completely entertained and continued to show their enthusiastic support as left fielder Cameron Lush made a great catch in left field. Bilger would pitch into the seventh inning, when pitch count would take him out of the game. Declan McManus would end the game on the mound for the London Tecumseh win.

With last night’s win fresh in their minds, the London Tecumsehs returned to Dan Pulham Park for an 8:00 PM start against the London North Nationals. As the London Tecumsehs took their place in the dugout along the third base line, they were focused and determined. They were a team to be reckoned with.

Tonight Tecumseh pitcher Ryan Calder would get the nod. Calder and his illuminated catcher, Brady Fata, would communicate and work well together. The team was with them each and every pitch, giving the London Tecumsehs the required defense to match the strong offense of the London North Nationals. Reliever Eric Wright would replace Calder later in the game; he pitched strong to support the team’s strong start, allowing the team the win.

The London Tecumsehs felt very much at home as they arrived at Dan Pulham Park, Wednesday June 5. Tonight they would be in their dugout along the first base line.

This was their home game; their home park and their night to make it three wins in a row. Tecumseh fans watched as starter Brady Fata and his very capable catcher, Kyle Bilger, gave the team a strong defensive start. The team was with Fata on every pitch and let him know it. Fata would later help his cause with brilliant base running, avoiding a pick-off attempt at second base by Southwest’s pitcher. Daniel Cabral would later replace Fata on the mound for an inning. Lucas O’Neil would also take an inning before closer Chris Fawcett would seal the win for the London Tecumsehs. This team has one scheduled regular season game this week, as they visit Dan Pulham Park to play the hosting London West Tincaps.

This game will prove exciting for fans of both teams. 

Updated:  12-JUN